On Thursday, November 17, 2011 at 7:00 p.m. the Franklin Institute presented a talk by Dr. Walter Hofman, the Montgomery County Coroner and board certified in Anatomic, Clinical and Forensic Pathology, in connection with the interactive exhibit – CSI: The Experience. Much like the tone of the exhibit, Dr. Hofman was informative and engaging. His personality and delivery made his presentation on the forensic sciences just as entertaining as an episode of CSI.
Dr. Hofman took his time to skillfully educate the audience while mixing in anecdotes and appropriately placed humor. His delivery immediately destroyed the sometimes myth that scientists are boring and dry. Dr. Hofman has a brilliant mind and is comfortable sharing his knowledge. Before the presentation, Tonisha Pinckney had the opportunity to interview Dr. Hofman. Dr. Hofman offers this advice to living victims of crimes in progress, “If you are being attacked, unless you are a seventh level black belt, do not resist because you will be infuriating the perpetrator to a much higher degree and you will be badly hurt.” He explained that trace evidence is inevitable using a word picture illustrating a victim with a white sweater and a perpetrator with a black sweater. Dr. Hofman explained that trace from the white sweater will be left on the black and the black on the white. The victim should not worry about catching the perpetrator, but instead on living through the situation. “Trust the examiner to obtain the materials”, he said.
The most difficult obstacle in the examination of a crime is not the evidence, the positioning of the body, the detectives, or the presence or lack of witnesses. According to Dr. Hofman, the greatest obstacle to investigating a crime scene are those who have nothing at all to do with the crime -“wanna-be’s who want to play detective”. He continues, “The forensic sciences are a really hot item in both the general public [and] in the colleges and universities.” Crime scenes “are like a jigsaw puzzle. You have to start on the outside and work your way in.” Unlike the 45-minute to 1-hour episodes of shows like Bones, Body of Proof, Criminal Minds, NCIS, or CSI, investing a crime scene takes time and attention to even the tiniest detail.
The criminal justice system is greatly affected, adversely so, by the influx of forensic science based shows. In the interview, Dr. Hofman points out the need for judges to give special instructions for jury members to understand the difference between real and fictional science during criminal proceedings. Many on the jury expect every crime to be solved unequivocally and all evidence confirming the accused as the perpetrator. Or, they question the absence of a confession as is usually given on crime shows. In fact, often the scientific answer is “I don’t know”, and the conclusion are based on a best educated guess given the technological resources available to process the evidence at the current time.
Dr. Hofman’s lecture was extraordinary. The attendees were an generous assortment of all age, ethnic, social, and educational demographics. He takes sciences seriously and enjoys it just as much. His wife, Ethel, a syndicated food columnist, is a friendly, outgoing lady. Dr. Hofman proudly speaks of their work with victims of sexual assault. The Franklin Institute was true to its legacy by providing the opportunity for men and women, boys and girls to hear from Dr. Hofman.
Read more about CSI: THE EXPERIENCE at the Franklin Institute
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